JP2019149060A - Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program and article providing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing device or the like capable of flexibly and appropriately replenishing products in a store. An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention has a reception unit that receives the inventory status of products in a store, a determination unit that determines the inventory status of the store based on the inventory status, and an inventory shortage of products. When it is determined that the first inventory state is to be shown, the setting unit that sets the timing of replenishment of the product is associated with the information about the product and the timing of replenishment based on the predetermined information regarding the installation location of the store. It is provided with a notification unit for notifying supplementary information. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and an article providing system capable of executing processing related to a store.

  Conventionally, a technology related to a mobile store that loads products and goes around the city has been developed. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology related to a transportation system that operates a mobile body that can be automatically operated using electricity as a driving source as a mobile store that loads products and travels around the city. The transportation system described in Patent Document 1 automatically drives a mobile body, and the mobile body is used as a mobile store and is a patrol created in advance from various information (user demand information, event information, road information). Based on the schedule, the dispatch of the moving body is determined. Further, in Patent Document 1, a mobile body includes a payment information transmission unit, and automatic transmission / reception of payment information and product loading information can also be used to construct a vending machine type unmanned mobile store where a salesperson does not ride. It is disclosed.

  Moreover, in the traffic system described in Patent Document 1, when a mobile object is used as a mobile store, the owner loads goods on the mobile object, or a long line is placed in front of the store where the customer is a mobile object. It is also disclosed that if there is a concern about the shortage of none of the products, another vehicle may be dispatched and the products may be replenished from their own warehouse or the like.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-069594

  Here, in an unmanned store, in order to provide a product to a user, it is important to flexibly and appropriately replenish the product in the unmanned store. However, in the transportation system described in Patent Document 1, since a moving body is dispatched based on a patrol schedule created in advance, even if a certain product is out of stock, it is forced to move according to the patrol schedule. Product replenishment cannot be performed flexibly. In addition, if the customer replenishes the product using another moving object after making a long line in front of the store, the stock may run out before the product replenishment. Can't do it.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and an article providing system that enable flexible and appropriate product replenishment in a store.

  An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a receiving unit that receives a stock status of a store product; a determination unit that determines a store stock status based on the stock status; When it is determined that the product is in stock, the setting unit that sets the replenishment timing of the product based on the predetermined information about the installation location of the store, the replenishment information that associates the information about the product with the replenishment timing A notification unit for notifying.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the determination unit determines, based on the inventory status, either the first inventory status or the second inventory status indicating that the product inventory is sufficient. It may be characterized by.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the determination unit may determine the first inventory state when the total inventory amount of the plurality of products in the store is equal to or less than the first predetermined amount. Good.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the determining unit may determine whether a predetermined product has an inventory amount of a plurality of products arranged in the store equal to or less than a second predetermined amount. The first inventory state may be determined.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the determination unit determines whether the expiration date of a predetermined product among the plurality of products arranged in the store is equal to or less than a predetermined number of days. It may be characterized in that it is determined as one stock status.

  In the information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the setting unit includes predetermined information including at least one of human flow data indicating human flow, predetermined event holding data, and weather data in the vicinity of the installation location. The timing may be set based on the above.

  In an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a display place where products in a store are displayed, a pressure sheet capable of measuring the pressure of the product against the display place, and gravity capable of measuring the weight of the product in the display place The apparatus may further include an article determination unit that determines the inventory status of the product using at least one of the sensors, and the reception unit may receive the inventory status determined by the article determination unit.

  The information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a storage unit that stores payment information relating to payment of a product in a store, and the reception unit receives inventory status determined based on the payment information. Also good.

  In the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, the store is a movable mobile store provided with a moving means, and the notification unit supplies the mobile store to a replenishment place where the product can be replenished at a replenishment timing. A control signal for movement may be notified to the moving means.

  An information processing method according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a reception step for receiving a stock status of a product in a store; a determination step for determining a stock status of the store based on the stock status; If it is determined that the product is in stock, the replenishment information that associates the setting step for setting the replenishment timing of the product, the information about the product, and the replenishment timing based on the predetermined information about the installation location of the store. A notification step of notifying.

  A program according to an embodiment of the present invention is a first function that indicates to a computer a reception function for receiving a stock status of merchandise in a store, a determination function for determining a stock status of a store based on the stock status, and a shortage of merchandise in stock When it is determined that the product is in stock, the replenishment information that associates the setting function for setting the replenishment timing of the product, the information about the product, and the replenishment timing based on predetermined information about the installation location of the store And a notification function for notifying the user.

  An article providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of stores that sell products and an information processing device that manages the plurality of stores, and the information processing device receives a stock status of the products in the store. And a determination unit that determines the inventory status of the store based on the inventory status, and if it is determined to be the first inventory status indicating a shortage of inventory of the product, based on predetermined information regarding the location of the store, A notification unit for notifying at least one of the terminals held by the replenisher who replenishes the store or the product with the setting unit for setting the product replenishment timing, the information regarding the product, and the replenishment timing associated with the replenishment timing And.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and an article providing system that enable flexible and appropriate product replenishment in a store.

It is the schematic of the article | item provision system structure in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of a server (information processor) by a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the terminal device in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic explaining the structural example in the shop in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is the schematic plan view which looked at the inside of the store in the 1st Embodiment of this invention from the upper part. It is a figure for demonstrating the purchase process of the goods in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the payment process of the goods in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the server in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the server (information processing apparatus) by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the operation example of the server in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, a server (information processing apparatus) receives a stock status of a product from a store at a predetermined cycle, and determines a stock status of the store based on the stock status. For example, the server determines the inventory status of the store as either the first inventory status indicating that the product is insufficient or the second inventory status indicating that the inventory of the product is sufficient.

  Then, when it is determined that the server is in the first inventory state, the server sets the replenishment timing of the product based on predetermined information regarding the installation location of the store. The predetermined information regarding the installation location of the store is, for example, human flow data indicating the flow of people around the installation location, holding data of predetermined events, weather data, and the like. Based on the predetermined information, the server can cause the product to be replenished to the store at an appropriate timing. Therefore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, flexible and appropriate product replenishment is possible in stores including unmanned stores.

(Configuration of article provision system)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an article providing system configuration according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The article providing system 500 is a service system that allows the user 400 to acquire and purchase an article even when there is no manager who provides the article. Hereinafter, as an example, a mode in which provision of an article is an unmanned store where a salesperson or a salesclerk who sells a product does not exist as illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the article providing system 500 includes at least a server (information processing apparatus) 100, a store 200, a terminal device 300, and a network NET.

  The server 100 is connected to the store 200 and the terminal device 300 via the network NET. Although two servers 100 are shown in FIG. 1, they may be realized as a plurality of more server groups, or may be realized independently. In FIG. 1, the server 100 is described as a device different from the store 200, but the server 100 may be provided in the store 200 as a store device (not shown). In this case, the server 100 may function as an apparatus that manages the provided store 200, or the server 100 provided in one store 200 may include other stores 200 in addition to the one store 200. It may function as a managing device.

  In the store 200, a plurality of products (articles) are displayed on a product shelf (display place). Although details will be described later, settlement of a product purchased by the user 400 at the store 200 is performed by the server 100 or a predetermined settlement service via the network NET.

  The store 200 may be provided with moving means such as wheels, for example, so that the store 200 can move. In this case, the store 200 may be movable by automatic driving. Further, the store 200 may be a car specialized for a store or a car that can be used as a store. Further, the store 200 may be placed on a loading platform of a large automobile. Further, the store 200 may be connected to an automobile such as a tow vehicle. In this case, the automobile capable of connecting the store 200 portions may be configured to connect a plurality of stores 200. The car as the store 200 and the car on which the store 200 is mounted or connected may be movable by automatic driving.

  The terminal device 300 is associated with the user 400. Although the smartphone is shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 300 may be a terminal device that can be connected to a network, such as a tablet or a wearable terminal (glasses type, wristwatch type, headset type, etc.). Anything is acceptable. Further, in FIG. 1, only one terminal device 300 is shown for ease of explanation, but it goes without saying that there may be more terminals. That is, there may be a plurality of users who enter the store 200. Thereafter, when there are a plurality of users and it is necessary to distinguish between them, the users 400A and 400B are referred to, and the terminal devices associated with each user are denoted as 300A and 300B. It is preferable that application software (hereinafter also referred to as “application”) provided by the service side and used for the store 200 is downloaded to the terminal device 300. Further, between the terminal device 300 and a predetermined communication device provided in the store 200, a Bluetooth (registered trademark), a beacon signal using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy), an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentifier) standard. Near field communication such as ultrasonic wave, infrared communication, or the like may be performed.

  The network NET is a network for connecting the server 100, the store 200, and the terminal device 300 to each other, and is, for example, a wireless network or a wired network. Specifically, the network NET includes a wireless LAN (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), ISDNs (integrated service digital networks), wireless LANs, LTE (long term evolution, LTE, long term evolution, LTE). 4th generation (4G), 5th generation (5G), CDMA (code division multiple access), WCDMA (registered trademark), and the like.

  The network NET is not limited to these examples. For example, the public switched telephone network (PSTN), Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark)), an optical line, an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber satellite), and the like. A communication network may be used, and any network may be used. The network NET may be a combination of these. The network NET may include a plurality of different networks that combine these examples. For example, the network NET may include an LTE wireless network and a wired network such as an intranet that is a closed network.

  Further, it may be a network NET, for example, NB-IoT (Narrow Band IoT) or eMTC (enhanced machine type communication). Note that NB-IoT and eMTC are wireless communication systems for IoT, and are networks capable of long-distance communication with low cost and low power consumption.

  The network between the network NET and the store 200 may be a communication network used for V2X (Vehicle to Everything: road-to-vehicle communication or road-to-vehicle communication). V2X is a communication method in which, for example, an automobile and an automobile (between vehicles) or an automobile and an infrastructure such as a traffic light or a road sign (between roads and vehicles) directly communicate with each other. Further, a plurality of stores 200 are connected to each other by V2X, at least one of the plurality of stores 200 performs communication with a network NET such as the Internet, and the other stores 200 connect the at least one store 200 with each other. Via the network NET.

(Configuration of server (information processing device))
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the server (information processing apparatus) 100 according to the first embodiment of this invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the server 100 includes a control unit 110, a communication unit 120, and a storage unit 130.

  The control unit 110 is a processor having a function of controlling each unit of the server 100. The control unit 110 includes a purchase processing unit 140 that executes processing related to the purchase of products in the store, and a replenishment processing unit 150 that executes processing related to the stock of products.

  The purchase processing unit 140 includes an acquisition unit 141, a detection unit 142, an article determination unit 143, a user determination unit 144, a settlement unit 145, a restriction unit 146, a setting unit 147, and a display output unit 148. The acquisition unit 141 acquires identification information associated with a user who has entered a predetermined space. The acquisition unit 141 may acquire identification information associated with the user who entered the predetermined space from the identification information stored in the storage unit 130. Alternatively, temporary identification information may be set for the user who enters the predetermined space by the setting unit 147, and the acquisition unit 141 may acquire the temporary identification information.

  The detection unit 142 detects at least a walking locus of the user who has entered the predetermined space in the predetermined space. The article determination unit 143 determines whether or not a predetermined change has occurred at the display place where the products in the predetermined space are displayed. Note that the article determination unit 143 determines that a predetermined change has occurred when the weight after the change is smaller than that before the change at the display place where the commodity is displayed. Alternatively, the article determination unit 143 determines that a predetermined change has occurred when the changed shape of the displayed product group is smaller than that before the change at the display location where the product is displayed. . The user determination unit 144 settles the product displayed at the display place where the predetermined change is determined to occur based on the display place where the predetermined change is determined by the article determination unit and the walking trajectory. The identification information associated with the settlement information regarding is determined. In addition, the user determination part 144 is the identification information matched with the user who is within the predetermined range from the display place where the position when the predetermined change occurred in the walking locus is determined that the predetermined change has occurred. Are identified as identification information associated with the settlement information relating to the settlement of the merchandise displayed at the display location where it is determined that a predetermined change has occurred. The settlement unit 145 performs settlement based on the settlement information associated with the identification information.

  The restriction unit 146 controls restriction means for restricting entry / exit into a predetermined space. The restricting unit 146 also controls the restricting means so as to release the restriction on the exit from the predetermined space of the user associated with the identification information for which the settlement is performed by the settlement unit 145. The display output unit 148 outputs display information for displaying the payment information associated with the identification information on the display unit of the terminal device corresponding to the identification information associated with the payment information.

  The replenishment processing unit 150 includes a reception unit 151, a determination unit 152, a setting unit 153, and a notification unit 154. The accepting unit 151 accepts the stock status of the product in the store 200. The stock status of the product is determined by the product determination unit 143 of the purchase processing unit 140, for example. The article determination unit 143 uses at least one of a pressure sheet capable of measuring the pressure of the commodity with respect to the display place and a gravity sensor capable of measuring the weight of the commodity at the display place at the display place where the commodity in the store is displayed. To determine the stock status of the product. The stock status of the product is, for example, the total stock amount of the product in the store 200 (the total amount or the total number of products). In addition, the stock status of the product may be a stock amount (weight or number of products) of a predetermined product among a plurality of products in the store 200. In addition, the stock status of the product may be the expiration date of a predetermined product among a plurality of products in the store 200. Note that the stock status of the product may be any information as long as it is information about the product in the store 200.

  Moreover, the reception part 151 may receive the inventory condition determined based on payment information. The settlement information includes information related to products purchased at the store 200. If a product is purchased, the stock of the product in the store 200 decreases, and therefore the stock status of the product in the store 200 can be calculated by using the settlement information.

  The determination unit 152 determines the inventory state (phase) of the store 200 based on the inventory status received by the reception unit 151. Based on the stock status of the store 200, the determination unit 152 uses the first stock status indicating the shortage of the stock of the product or the second stock status indicating that the stock of the product is sufficient as the stock status of the store 200. Decide on one of the stock status. Note that the stock status of the store 200 determined by the determination unit 152 is not limited to two, and may be determined as any of three or more stock statuses.

  The determination unit 152 sets the information on the merchandise of the store as A and sets a predetermined threshold as B. Based on the logic of “a predetermined inventory state when A is B”, the determination unit 152 Determine inventory status. For example, when the total inventory amount (A) of the product in the store 200 is equal to or less than the first predetermined amount (B), the determination unit 152 determines the first inventory state indicating a shortage of product inventory. The first predetermined amount is indicated, for example, as a ratio to the maximum amount of products that can be arranged (arranged) in the store 200, and specifically, indicated by 30% of the maximum amount. The first predetermined amount is not limited to 30% of the maximum amount of products that can be arranged (arranged) in the store 200, and may be any proportion such as 50% or 20% of the maximum amount. . The first predetermined amount may be indicated by the number of products, and may be 100 or 50, for example. The first predetermined amount may be indicated by the weight of the product, and may be, for example, 500 [kg] or 1 [t]. The first predetermined amount is not limited to these examples, and may be indicated in any unit.

  The first predetermined amount may be set for each product shelf installed in the store 200. The first predetermined amount is indicated, for example, as a ratio with respect to the maximum amount of products that can be arranged (arranged) on the product shelf, and specifically, indicated by 30% of the maximum amount. In this case, the determination unit 152 may determine, for each product shelf, either the first stock state indicating a shortage of product stock or the second stock state indicating that the stock of the product is sufficient. Good. Note that the first predetermined amount may be indicated by the number or weight of products for each product shelf.

  For each of a plurality of products arranged (arranged) in the store 200, the determination unit 152 selects either the first inventory state indicating a shortage of inventory or the second inventory state indicating that the inventory is sufficient. You may decide. Specifically, when the stock quantity (A) of a predetermined product among a plurality of products arranged (arranged) in the store 200 is equal to or less than a second predetermined amount (B), the determination unit 152 A predetermined product is determined as a first inventory state indicating a shortage of inventory. On the other hand, when the stock amount of the predetermined product is larger than the second predetermined amount, the determination unit 152 determines the second stock state indicating that the stock is sufficient for the predetermined product. Note that the second predetermined amount is indicated, for example, as a ratio with respect to the maximum amount of a predetermined product that can be arranged (arranged) in the store 200, specifically, 30% of the maximum amount. The second predetermined amount may be indicated by the number of products or the weight of the product.

  In addition, the determination unit 152 selects either the first inventory state indicating insufficient inventory or the second inventory state indicating that the inventory is sufficient for the predetermined product based on the expiration date of the predetermined product. You may decide. Specifically, when the expiration date (A) of a predetermined product is equal to or less than a predetermined number of days (B), the determination unit 152 determines the first stock state indicating a shortage of stock for the predetermined product. To do. On the other hand, when the expiration date of the predetermined product is equal to or less than the predetermined number of days, the determination unit 152 determines the second stock state indicating that the stock is sufficient for the predetermined product. The predetermined number of days is set for each product, and is, for example, 3 days or 1 week.

  Note that the determination unit 152 combines the above-described plurality of determination criteria to select either the first inventory state indicating a shortage of product inventory or the second inventory state indicating that the product inventory is sufficient. You may decide. For example, when the stock amount of the predetermined product is equal to or less than the second predetermined amount, or the expiration date is equal to or less than the predetermined number of days, the determination unit 152 determines the first stock state indicating that the predetermined product is short of stock. May be determined.

  When the determination unit 152 determines that the first inventory state indicating that the product is in short stock, the setting unit 153 sets the replenishment timing of the product based on predetermined information regarding the installation location of the store 200. For example, the setting unit 153 sets the replenishment timing of the product based on predetermined information including at least one of human flow data indicating the flow of people, holding data of a predetermined event, and weather data. The predetermined information regarding the installation location of the store 200 is received by the reception unit 151, for example.

  The human flow data included in the predetermined information is data indicating a movement movement (human behavior) of a person around the place where the store 200 is installed. Further, the human flow data may include the number of passing people per unit time and the number of passing people for each time zone at a certain point around the place where the store 200 is installed. The human flow data may include information on the population density around the place where the store 200 is installed, the population density change for each time zone, the attributes of residents (age, sex, family structure, etc.), and the like.

  The setting unit 153 identifies a time zone in which the user enters the store 200 with a small number of stores based on the human flow data, and sets the specified time zone as a product replenishment timing so that the user cannot use the store 200. Can be reduced. Further, the setting unit 153 specifies a time zone in which the user frequently enters the store 200 based on the human flow data, and sets the timing of product replenishment before the specified time zone, so that the user uses a lot. It becomes possible to replenish the product before the time period and reduce the stockout of the product.

  The predetermined event holding data included in the predetermined information is, for example, information related to the predetermined event around the place where the store 200 is installed. For example, concerts, fireworks displays, festivals, sports games, flea markets, Information on the location, date, and duration of events related to events where many people gather, such as various qualification tests and entrance examinations at educational institutions.

  The setting unit 153 participates in the event by specifying the time zone before and after the event holding based on the holding data of the predetermined event, and setting the time zone other than the specified time zone as the replenishment timing of the product It is possible to reduce the situation where the user who uses the store 200 cannot use the store 200. In addition, the setting unit 153 sets the product replenishment timing before the event is held based on the human flow data, thereby replenishing the product before being used by the user participating in the event, Out of stock can be reduced.

  In addition, the setting unit 153 can specify, for example, a time zone in which rain is expected based on the weather data, and set a time zone other than the specified time zone as the replenishment timing of the product. For example, if it is expected to rain during lunch hours, the number of users who purchase lunch will increase in stores rather than going out. The situation in which the user cannot use the store 200 can be reduced.

  As described above, since it is possible to reduce the out of stock of the product and the situation where the user cannot use the store 200, it is possible to suppress the loss of the opportunity for selling the product in the store 200, and to increase the sales of the store 200. It becomes possible to improve.

  The notification unit 154 notifies replenishment information in which information about the product is associated with the replenishment timing. For example, the notification unit 154 notifies the replenishment information to a terminal device (not shown) held by a replenishing person who replenishes the merchandise in the store 200. Further, the notification unit 154 may notify the replenishment information to, for example, a predetermined device (not shown) provided in a warehouse or a building that stores products to be replenished. In addition, for example, when the server 100 is outside the store 200, the notification unit 154 may notify the store 200 of supplementary information.

  Here, as described above, the store 200 may be provided with moving means such as wheels, and the store 200 may be movable. In this case, the store 200 may be movable by automatic driving. If the store 200 can be moved by automatic driving, the store 200 automatically moves to a place (warehouse, building, etc.) where the product to be replenished is stored at the timing set by the setting unit 153, and the product is replenished. It may be possible.

  For example, the setting unit 153 may search for a route from the current position of the store 200 to a place (a warehouse, a building, or the like) where a product to be replenished is stored using map information. In addition, the setting unit 153 calculates the time required to move the searched route, and the store 200 arrives at a place (a warehouse, a building, or the like) where goods to be replenished are stored at the set timing. As such, the store 200 may be automatically driven along the route. The setting unit 153 does not need to search for a route, and the route may be searched for by a car navigation system (not shown) provided in the store 200.

  Further, when the store 200 is placed on the loading platform of a large vehicle or connected to a vehicle such as a towing vehicle, the setting unit 153 notifies the vehicle of the searched route. May be. In this case, the automobile may automatically drive along the notified route.

  The communication unit 120 includes a reception unit 121 and a transmission unit 122, and has a function of performing communication (transmission and reception of various data) with the store 200 or the terminal device 300 via the network NET in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 110. . These communications may be executed either by wire or wireless, and any communication protocol may be used as long as mutual communication can be executed.

  The storage unit 130 is realized by various recording media such as an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a flash memory, and stores various programs and data necessary for the server 100 to operate. Have The storage unit 130 stores (stores) at least one piece of payment information associated with the identification information for each piece of identification information determined by the user determination unit 144. In addition, the storage unit 130 may store in advance identification information associated with a user, or may store information indicating a payment method or a payment service used for payment for each identification information. Further, the storage unit 130 stores information indicating which product is displayed at which position on the product shelf.

(Configuration of terminal device)
Next, the terminal device 300 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the terminal device 300 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the terminal device 300 includes a control unit 310, a communication unit 320, a storage unit 330, an input reception unit 340, a display unit 350, a voice interface (I / F) 360, and a speaker 370.

  The communication unit 320 includes a reception unit 321 and a transmission unit 322, and has a function of executing communication with the server 100 or communication means installed in the store 200 via the network NET. The communication may be executed either by wire or wireless, and any communication protocol may be used as long as mutual communication can be executed. The communication unit 320 may be used for data exchange with the authentication device 95 installed in the store 200.

  The storage unit 330 has a function of storing various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the terminal device 300. For example, the storage unit 330 includes information such as an application program necessary for enjoying the service according to the present embodiment. The storage unit 330 is realized by various recording media such as an HDD, an SSD, and a flash memory.

The input receiving unit 340 receives an input from the user 400 and displays information related to the input as follows:
This is transmitted to the control unit 310. In the terminal device 300, the input reception unit 340 is realized by a touch panel or the like, detects a contact by an indication tool such as a user's finger or stylus and the contact position, and transmits the coordinates of the contact position to the information processing unit 311. In the present embodiment, the input receiving unit 340 receives a purchase product selection or payment request by a user.

  The control unit 310 is a processor having a function of controlling each unit of the terminal device 300. The control unit 310 includes an information processing unit 311, a display processing unit 312, and a determination unit 313. The information processing unit 311 has a function of performing control so that information is transmitted from the communication unit 320 to the server 100 in accordance with the information input from the input receiving unit 340. The information processing unit 311 also has a function of transmitting information received from the server 100 by the communication unit 320 to the display processing unit 312. The display processing unit 312 has a function of converting display data transmitted from the information processing unit 311 into pixel information and writing it into a frame buffer of the display unit 350.

  The display unit 350 is a monitor having a function of displaying an image in accordance with display data written in the frame buffer by the display processing unit 312 and is typically realized by a liquid crystal display. The display unit 350 displays payment information received from the server 100 via the network NET. The audio I / F 360 is an interface of a speaker 370 or an earphone (not shown). Note that the settlement information may be output by voice via the voice I / F 360, or a predetermined warning sound may be output. In addition, a payment request from the user may be instructed (input) by voice.

(Composition of store)
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example in the store 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the following, when there is no need to distinguish between them, the alphabets A, B, etc., indicating that there are a plurality of them in the figure may be omitted. As shown in FIG. 4, a merchandise shelf 80 as a display place for the merchandise 50 is installed in the store 200. A plurality of types of products are displayed on the product shelf 80.

  Each stage of the product shelf 80 is provided with a shelf pressure sensor 10 that functions as a weight sensor for detecting a change in weight, and detects the weight of the product displayed on the product shelf 80. Further, the shelf pressure sensor 10 may be in the form of a sheet, like the floor sensor 60, or may be realized by a plurality of sensor modules. The shelf pressure sensor 10 sequentially measures the weight of the product loaded on the shelf pressure sensor 10 itself, and the measured data is transmitted to the server 100 via the network NET at a predetermined cycle. The predetermined cycle may be any cycle such as 1 minute, 10 minutes, or 1 hour. The article determination unit 143 of the server 100 determines the stock status of the product based on the received data (that is, the weight applied to the shelf pressure sensor 10).

  Further, the product shelf 80 may be provided with a plurality of TOF (Time of Flight) sensors 20 to measure the depth direction of the product shelf. The TOF sensor 20 can detect a change in the shape of the product group. That is, the TOF sensor 20 measures the product group arranged in the depth direction of the product shelf, and the measured data is transmitted to the article determination unit 143. The article determination unit 143 may determine the number of products based on the distance measurement data obtained by the TOF sensor 20 and may determine the stock status of the products.

  Note that, in the first embodiment of the present invention, a change in the product in the product shelf 80 may be detected using each sensor. The change in the product is used when the user who has entered the store 200 determines which product is acquired from the product shelf 80 and held when the user purchases the product.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4, a floor sensor 60 that can detect the walking trajectory of the user 400 may be provided on the floor of the store 200. The floor sensor 60 may be realized by, for example, a capacitive sheet-like sensor, or may be realized by a plurality of sensor modules that are used under the floor or on the floor. Here, the floor sensor 60 functions as an input means for inputting data related to the walking trajectory of the user 400 who entered the store 200. Data relating to the walking trajectory input to the floor sensor 60 is transmitted from the communication means 220 provided in the store 200 to the server 100 via the network NET. The detection unit 142 of the server 100 can detect the walking trajectory of the user 400 by analyzing the data obtained from the floor sensor 60.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view of the store 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention as seen from above. The detection unit 142 detects the walking trajectory R1 in the store 200 of the user 400 using data acquired by the floor sensor 60. Further, the article determination unit 143 determines the point C1 where the predetermined change has occurred in the commodity shelf 80A using the data acquired by the shelf pressure sensor 10 or the TOF sensor 20. Based on the data acquired by the shelf pressure sensor 10, a case where the weight after the change is smaller than that before the change is detected as a predetermined change at the display place where the commodity is displayed. In addition, the data acquired by the TOF sensor 20 is detected as a predetermined change when the shape after the change of the displayed product group is smaller than that before the change at the display place where the product is displayed. Is done. That is, in response to the increase in the distance detected by the TOF sensor 20, it is detected that the shape of the merchandise group at the display place has decreased. When a predetermined change occurs at the point C1, the user determination unit 144 determines that a product displayed at the point C1 has been acquired by a user who has the walking position P1 within a predetermined range from the point C1.

  In addition, in order to improve the accuracy of determination by the user determination unit 144, the product shelf 80 may be provided with a line-of-sight sensor 30 and a human sensor 40. The line-of-sight sensor 30 acquires data relating to the line of sight of the user 400 positioned in front of the product shelf 80. Further, a shelf floor sensor 70 is provided between the product shelf 80 and the floor of the store 200 to acquire data relating to a change in the weight of the entire product shelf 80. The data acquired by each of these sensors may also be transmitted to the detection unit 142 of the server 100 via the network NET and used supplementarily for the above determination. For example, based on the user's line-of-sight data obtained from the line-of-sight sensor 30, when a product is removed from the product shelf 80, the user who has focused on the product may be extracted and determined together with the walking trajectory. . Further, using data obtained from the human sensor 40, it may be determined whether or not a user's hand has entered the product shelf 80.

  Next, merchandise purchase processing in the store 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a product purchase process according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the example of FIG. 6, a mode in which an application for using the store 200 is installed in the terminal device 300 will be described. In addition, before the user 400 uses the store 200, the user 400 needs to perform service use registration. When the user performs the use registration, the identification information of the user who registered the use of the service is stored in advance as a user information table in the storage unit 130 of the server 100 or an external memory provided separately from the server 100. Has been. In the user information table, for each identification information (customer ID), a name, a settlement method, and the like are associated and stored. Here, the payment method is a method used for payment specified in advance by the user, and is, for example, electronic money, credit card, net banking, mobile carrier payment, or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, an authentication device 95 is provided at the entrance ENT of the store 200. In this embodiment, only a user who has succeeded in user authentication can enter the store 200. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, when the user 400 enters the store 200, as described with reference to FIG. 4, information regarding the walking trajectory of the user 400 is obtained from the floor sensor 60 by the communication unit 220 of the store 200. To the detection unit 142. In addition, a floor sensor is provided in the vicinity of the entrance ENT or in the vicinity of the authentication device 95, and the user identification information and the user footprint are stored in advance in the storage unit 130 in association with each other when entering the store 200. Is done. In addition, as described above, the article determination unit 143 uses the data acquired from the shelf pressure sensor 10, the TOF sensor 20, the line-of-sight sensor 30, and the human sensor 40 provided in the product shelf 80, It is determined whether the product has been removed. Furthermore, the article determination unit 143 identifies the removed product based on the information related to the correspondence between the product shelf and the product stored in the storage unit 130. Based on the data acquired from each sensor, the user determination unit 144 determines a user (a user who has the removed product) associated with the settlement information related to the settlement of the removed product. Then, as shown in FIG. 6C, a settlement information table 131T in which the acquired information, the amount, and the total amount are associated with the identification information (customer ID) as the settlement information is a settlement storage unit. 131. Further, as shown in FIG. 6B, the display unit 350 of the terminal device 300 displays the settlement information of the product acquired by the user.

  Next, the product settlement process will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the product settlement processing in the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7A, when the user 400 enters the settlement area 90 of the store 200, as shown in FIG. 7B, a screen DIS3 for selecting execution of product settlement is displayed on the terminal device 300. Displayed on the display. For example, this is realized by the display output unit 148 outputting display information for displaying the payment information on the terminal device 300 based on the payment information stored in the payment storage unit 131. Thereafter, when the user 400 selects a button (purchase button) DIS4 for executing settlement, the settlement unit 145 performs control so that settlement is executed. For example, when the payment method is a credit card, the payment unit 145 controls the transmission unit 122 to transmit a payment request to a credit company server (not shown). When the settlement is completed (when a settlement completion response is received), the restriction unit 146 transmits an instruction to release the restriction of restriction means (for example, a door key) for restricting the exit of the store 200, and the exit OUT of the store 200 Is unlocked. The storage unit 130 also stores a payment history table 134 that stores the user's payment history.

(Server operation example)
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the server 100 according to the first embodiment of this invention. The operation example of the server 100 illustrated in FIG. 8 is an operation example in the case where the server 100 sets the product replenishment timing of the store 200.

  As illustrated in FIG. 8, the reception unit 151 of the server 100 receives the inventory status of the products in the store 200 (S101). Note that the stock status of the product in the store 200 is determined by the article determination unit 143 and notified to the reception unit 151.

  The determination unit 152 determines the inventory state (phase) of the store 200 based on the inventory status received by the reception unit 151. Specifically, the determination unit 152 determines whether or not the information related to the store product is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (S102). And when it is below a threshold (YES of S102), the determination part 152 determines the stock status of the shop 200 as the 1st stock status which shows the shortage of stock of goods (S103). On the other hand, when it is not below the threshold value (NO in S102), the determination unit 152 determines the inventory state of the store 200 to the second inventory state indicating that the commodity inventory is sufficient (S104).

  Thereafter, when it is determined that the first inventory state is set, the setting unit 153 sets the replenishment timing of the product based on predetermined information regarding the installation location of the store 200 (S105). Thereafter, the notification unit 154 notifies the store 200 and the terminal device of the replenishment person of the replenishment information in which the information about the product is associated with the replenishment timing (S106). On the other hand, when it is determined that the second inventory state is present (S104), the process returns to S101.

  As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the server (information processing apparatus) receives the inventory status of a product from the store at a predetermined cycle, and determines the inventory status of the store based on the inventory status. Then, when it is determined that the server is in the first inventory state, the server sets the replenishment timing of the product based on predetermined information regarding the installation location of the store. The predetermined information regarding the installation location of the store is, for example, human flow data indicating the flow of people around the installation location, holding data of predetermined events, weather data, and the like. Based on the predetermined information, the server can cause the product to be replenished to the store at an appropriate timing. Therefore, in the first embodiment of the present invention, flexible and appropriate product replenishment is possible in an unmanned store. As a result, loss of merchandise sales opportunities at unmanned stores can be suppressed, and sales at the stores can be improved.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment of the present invention, a store opening location (store installation location) and a store opening date are determined based on predetermined information. As a result, for example, by installing a store in a place where there are many users, the number of users who use the store can be increased, and sales of the store can be improved.

  In the second embodiment of the present invention, the store 200 is provided with moving means such as wheels and is movable. In this case, the store 200 may be movable by automatic driving. Further, the store 200 may be a car specialized for a store or a car that can be used as a store. In addition, the store 200 may be placed on the loading platform of a large automobile or may be connected to an automobile such as a towing vehicle. The store 200 may be in any form as long as it can move.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a server (information processing apparatus) according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 9, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the server 100 includes a control unit 110, a communication unit 120, and a storage unit 130. Note that the configuration examples of the communication unit 120 and the storage unit 130 are the same as those of the communication unit 120 and the storage unit 130 in the first embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG.

  The control unit 110 includes a purchase processing unit 140, a replenishment processing unit 150, and a location control unit 160. The configuration examples of the purchase processing unit 140 and the replenishment processing unit 150 are the same as those of the purchase processing unit 140 and the replenishment processing unit 150 in the first embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. To do.

  The location control unit 160 includes an information reception unit 161, a store opening determination unit 162, and a store opening setting unit 163. The information receiving unit 161 receives human flow data indicating the flow of people in a predetermined area, data on holding a predetermined event, and the like. The predetermined area is, for example, an administrative district, the vicinity of a predetermined facility, the vicinity of a place where a predetermined event is held, and the like.

  The human flow data is data indicating a movement movement (human action) of a person in a predetermined area. The human flow data may include information on the population density of a predetermined region, changes in population density for each time zone, attributes of residents (age, sex, family structure, etc.), and the like. Further, the human flow data may be data indicating movement of a person around the venue when a predetermined event is held. The human flow data may be data (for example, averaged data) obtained by statistically processing data related to human movements for the past several years when a predetermined event is held.

  Moreover, the information reception part 161 may receive the request regarding the installation place of the shop 200 from the terminal device (not shown) hold | maintained by the user's terminal device 300 or the organizer of a predetermined event. Moreover, you may receive the request regarding the installation place of the shop 200 from the developer at the time of constructing new structures, such as a condominium. The request regarding the installation location of the store 200 includes, for example, information regarding a location where the store 200 is desired to open and a date and time. The place where the customer wants to open the store does not have to be an exact place, and may be an approximate place such as “around the XX facility” or “near the Δ △ intersection”. Moreover, the place which wants to open a store may be selected from the map. Further, the date and time at which the store is desired to be opened is not specified by the time or the period, but may be an approximate period such as “before and after the predetermined event”.

  For example, the user may input a request regarding the installation location of the store 200 using an application installed in the terminal device 300. The app may be an app necessary for enjoying the service according to the present embodiment, or may be another app. Further, the user or the organizer of the predetermined event may input the request from a WEB page that receives a request regarding the installation location of the store 200. Moreover, the information regarding the place where it was better to have the store 200 collected from the user or the event organizer in the form of a questionnaire after the end of the predetermined event may be used. Moreover, the request regarding the installation location of the store 200 may receive information regarding necessary supplies in addition to the installation location in the event of a natural disaster such as heavy rain, heavy snow, typhoon, or earthquake.

  The information reception unit 161 may be information sensed by a camera or the like when the store 200 moves. The information reception unit 161 may be information on an empty space or a place with high population density sensed when the store 200 moves for product replenishment or in-store cleaning, for example. Note that the information reception unit 161 may receive information sensed by a camera or the like from each of the plurality of stores 200.

  The store opening determination unit 162 determines the location and the date and time of opening the store 200 based on the flow data indicating the flow of people in the predetermined area and the holding data of the predetermined event. The store opening determination unit 162 may determine a place and time zone where the number of passing people per unit time is large in a predetermined area as a place and date and time for opening the store 200. In addition, the store opening determination unit 162 allows the user who uses the store 200 based on the data on the flow of people around the place where the predetermined event is held and the data related to the movement of people for the past several years when the predetermined event is held. It is also possible to identify a point or time zone that is predicted to be large, and determine a location or date and time for opening the store 200.

  Further, the store opening determination unit 162 may determine the location and the date and time of opening the store 200 based on the request regarding the installation location and the date and time of opening the store received from the user or the event organizer. The store opening determination unit 162 may specify a location and date / time that are frequently requested as an installation location, and may determine a location and date / time for opening the store 200.

  In addition, the store opening determination unit 162 may determine the location and the date and time of opening the store 200 based on the information regarding the empty space sensed when the store 200 moves and the place where the population density is likely to be high. In addition, the store opening determination unit 162 identifies a space or a time zone that seems to have a high empty space or a high population density based on the sensed information received from each of the plurality of stores 200, The date and time may be determined.

  The store opening setting unit 163 performs various settings relating to the store opening of the store 200 based on the determined location and date of opening the store 200. For example, the store opening setting unit 163 may search for a route from the current position of the store 200 to the determined place to open a store using map information. The store opening setting unit 163 calculates the time required for moving the searched route, and causes the store 200 to automatically drive along the route so that the store 200 arrives at the place to open the store at the determined date and time. May be.

  Further, the store opening setting unit 163 may automatically create a document that needs to be submitted for opening the store 200 to the government such as the national government or a local public entity. Further, the store opening setting unit 163 may automatically make an application necessary for opening the store 200 to the government. Moreover, the store opening setting part 163 may perform automatically the application regarding the use change with respect to the administration required in order to open the store 200, and preparation of the document regarding the said use change.

(Server operation example)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the server 100 according to the second embodiment of this invention. The operation example of the server 100 illustrated in FIG. 10 is an operation example when the server 100 determines the store opening location (store installation location) and the store opening date and time.

  As illustrated in FIG. 10, the information receiving unit 161 of the server 100 receives various types of information such as human flow data in a predetermined area, holding data of a predetermined event, a request regarding a store opening, and sensed information (S201).

  The store opening determination unit 162 determines the location and date for opening the store 200 based on various information received by the information receiving unit 161 (S202).

  Thereafter, the store opening setting unit 163 performs various settings regarding the store opening of the store 200 based on the determined location and date and time of opening the store 200 (S203). The store opening setting unit 163 searches for a route from the current position of the store 200 to the determined place to open a store, and moves the store 200 along the route. Moreover, the store opening setting part 163 may perform various applications etc. with respect to administrations, such as a country and a local public entity.

  As described above, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the server (information processing apparatus) opens a store based on personal flow data in a predetermined area, holding data of a predetermined event, a request regarding a store opening, and sensed information. Determine the location and date of opening. As a result, for example, a store can be installed in a place where there are many users, the number of users who use the store can be increased, and sales of the store can be improved.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can easily make various modifications and corrections based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these variations and modifications are included in the scope of the present invention. For example, the functions included in each means, each step, etc. can be rearranged so that there is no logical contradiction, and a plurality of means, steps, etc. can be combined or divided into one. . The structures described in the above embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

100 server (information processing device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 110 Control part 120 Communication part 121 Reception part, 122 Transmission part 130 Storage part 131 Settlement storage part, 131T Settlement information table, 134 Settlement history table 140 Purchase processing part, 141 Acquisition part, 142 detection part, 143 Article determination part, 144 user Determination unit, 145 settlement unit, 146 restriction unit, 147 setting unit, 148 display output unit 150 replenishment processing unit, 151 reception unit, 152 determination unit, 153 setting unit, 154 notification unit,
160 location control unit, 161 information reception unit, 162 store opening determination unit, 163 store opening setting unit 200 store 220 communication means 300 terminal device 310 control unit, 311 information processing unit, 312 display processing unit, 313 determination unit, 320 communication unit, 330 Storage unit, 340 input reception unit, 350 display unit, 370 speaker, 321 reception unit, 322 transmission unit 500 product provision system 400 user 95 authentication device, 50 products, 80 product shelf, 60 floor sensor, 10 shelf pressure sensor, 20 TOF Sensor, R1 walking locus, C1 point, P1 walking position, 30 gaze sensor, 40 human sensor, 70 shelf sensor, 90 settlement area

Claims (12)

A reception unit for receiving the stock status of the products in the store;
A determination unit for determining an inventory status of the store based on the inventory status;
A setting unit that sets a replenishment timing of the product based on predetermined information regarding an installation location of the store, when it is determined that the first inventory state indicating a shortage of stock of the product;
An information processing apparatus comprising: a notification unit that notifies replenishment information in which information about the product is associated with the replenishment timing.   The determination unit, based on the inventory status, determines either the first inventory status or the second inventory status indicating that the inventory of the product is sufficient. The information processing apparatus according to 1.   The information according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the determination unit determines the first inventory state when a total inventory amount of a plurality of products in the store is equal to or less than a first predetermined amount. Processing equipment.   The determination unit determines the first stock state for the predetermined product when an inventory amount of the predetermined product among the plurality of products arranged in the store is equal to or less than a second predetermined amount. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus.   The determining unit determines the first stock state for the predetermined product when a shelf life of the predetermined product among a plurality of products arranged in the store is equal to or less than a predetermined number of days. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The setting unit sets the timing based on predetermined information including at least one of human flow data indicating human flow, predetermined event holding data, and weather data around the installation location. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Using at least one of a pressure sheet capable of measuring the pressure of the product against the display place and a gravity sensor capable of measuring the weight of the product at the display place at the display place where the product in the store is displayed , Further comprising an article determination unit for determining the inventory status of the product,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reception unit receives the inventory status determined by the article determination unit. A storage unit for storing payment information related to the payment of the product in the store;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reception unit receives the inventory status determined based on the payment information. The store is a movable mobile store equipped with a moving means,
The said notification part notifies the control signal for moving the said mobile store to the replenishment place which can replenish the said goods to the replenishment timing with respect to the said moving means. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. A reception step for receiving the stock status of the product in the store;
A determination step of determining an inventory status of the store based on the inventory status;
A setting step for setting a replenishment timing of the product based on predetermined information regarding an installation location of the store, when it is determined that the first inventory state indicating a shortage of stock of the product;
An information processing method comprising: a notification step of notifying replenishment information in which the information related to the product is associated with the replenishment timing. On the computer,
A reception function that accepts the stock status of the products in the store;
A determination function for determining an inventory status of the store based on the inventory status;
A setting function for setting a replenishment timing of the product on the basis of predetermined information on an installation location of the store, when it is determined that the first inventory state indicating a shortage of stock of the product;
A program for executing a notification function for notifying replenishment information in which information relating to the product and the replenishment timing are associated with each other. Multiple stores selling products,
An information processing device for managing the plurality of stores,
The information processing apparatus includes:
A reception unit for receiving the stock status of the products in the store;
A determination unit for determining an inventory status of the store based on the inventory status;
A setting unit that sets a replenishment timing of the product based on predetermined information regarding an installation location of the store, when it is determined that the first inventory state indicating a shortage of stock of the product;
A notification unit for notifying at least one of terminals held by the replenisher who replenishes the store or the product with replenishment information in which the information about the product is associated with the replenishment timing; Article providing system.

Images